Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I wish I did. I could go on Oprah and people would send me presents.

Mail Order Bride

Chapter One: A Desperate Flight

By: omni82

April 1875

Boston

"Sis, don't do this!" Yahiko Kamiya begged his older sister, Kaoru, for the millionth time as they waited at the train station. Kaoru kept her head held high despite the whispers and stares of the people around her. She was not impervious to the pleas of her younger brother but he did not understand that what she was about to do was for his benefit as much as for hers.

It had been two long months since their parents died, two months since her fiancé, Aoshi Shinomori, had left her after learning that there was no inheritance. Aoshi hadn't been the only one to desert Kaoru and Yahiko after the devastating news had come from the lawyer. They were broke without a penny to their name and in the high society of Boston, that was just as bad as death. Kaoru had gone over their options over and over again but it was to no effect. They had no savings or relatives to take them in. They needed a miracle to save them from the poorhouse.

And salvation had come in the form of a man. In her desperation, Kaoru answered an ad for a mail order bride. The man, Kenshin Himura, was apparently a man with a wealthy cattle ranch in a small western town named Redemption. They had conversed several times, the last of which ended with a marriage proposal from him.

Dear Miss Kamiya,

I was happy to receive your third letter today. In response to your questions, my spread is about an hour out of town. Redemption consists of a mercantile, a hotel, a church, and a schoolhouse. The town is small and still needs women like you to help sooth out its rough edges.

As I am a man of action rather than words, I'll get to my point. I like what I've read in your letters and I want you to come to Redemption and marry me. I believe you are a practical woman so I will not woo you with words. I can offer you my respect and a place for you and your brother to live in security. God willing, we will be able to raise our sons in the solitude of my home.

Sincerely yours,

Kenshin Himura.

Kaoru had written him back that very day, accepting his offer. Two weeks later, she had received the tickets and was now waiting for the train to come and bring them to Redemption. She smoothed her violet skirt with a practiced hand and gave Yahiko a reassuring smile. There was nothing he could say to make her change her mind. This was for both of them. Living on a ranch would be good for the boy who had spent much of his life cooped up inside due to varying illnesses.

The blast of a train whistle from down the tracks nearly made her jump out of her skin. It was lumbering toward them and as it came, her stomach twisted into a tighter and tighter knot. Sensing her unease, Yahiko slipped his hand in hers. He looked small and frightened, reminding Kaoru just how young her brother was. No matter what, she would take care of him.

The giant metal contraption was just settling in when a loud call broke through the crowd. "Kaoru! Kaoru, wait!" Aoshi came rushing up to them, out of breath from the run.

"Yahiko, why don't you go waiting with our suitcases?" Kaoru suggested. "I need to talk to Mr. Shinomori privately." As her small brother scampered off, the young Boston miss face her ex-fiancé.

"The minister said he could find someone to take the boy." Aoshi announced with a grin. "If it's just the two of us, we'll be alright."

"What are you saying?" Kaoru demanded.

"Someone will adopt your brother. He may be six but he looks younger so someone will probably take him in. Yahiko will only have to spend two maybe three months in an orphanage. Then we can get married, darling." Aoshi took it for granted that his blushing bride-to-be would be happy.

"I can't leave my brother," Kaoru gasped in horror. "I don't need someone else to take care of him! I can do perfectly well on my own."

"So well that you'd prostitute yourself to a perfect stranger?" Aoshi sneered. He caught her delicate wrist in his strong hand.

"No one will have you but me!" He snarled. "I won't allow you to give yourself to some rancher." The tall man spat out the term as if it were the worst insult possible. Meanwhile, his grip on her wrist was becoming unforgivably painful.

"Aoshi, let me go!" Kaoru protested loudly. As she began to struggle, a crowd of onlookers formed. The mob began to rumble ominously and Aoshi reluctantly released her.

"This isn't over. Come home with me right now and all will be forgiven." He gave her the slow smile that used to turn her knees to water. Now it only inspired fear and loathing.

"I'm not coming home with you," she declared harshly. "I'm going home to a man who will marry me as I stand, without conditions and without threats. That makes him ten times the man you are."

"Kaoru, I will never let you go. Drop this foolish endeavor at once and come with me."

She struggled to maintain her composure. "Good-bye Aoshi."

His intense, aquamarine eyes flared with rage and he raised a hand to hit her. Kaoru did not even give him the chance to strike. With a pair of strong punches to the midriff, Aoshi toppled over and Kaoru fled.

"Come on, Yahiko. Get on the train. We're leaving now." She called, grabbing her brother's hand as she hurried to the train. An elderly conductor accepted their tickets and smiled at her. Kaoru didn't even spare a glance at the man she once loved as he staggered to his feet.

"Very good, Miss Kamiya. Mr. Himura has secured first-class seats for you and your brother. Please, come this way." Kaoru gaped at the man and dumbly followed him.

Yahiko bounced up and down on his plush, red seat and stared eagerly out the window. His concern for his sister had abruptly ceased upon boarding the train. This was a grand adventure now, not a sacrifice she was making for him.

As for her, Kaoru looked straight ahead as the train pulled away. She didn't want to see the face of the man who had told her he loved her or the home she would never return to. In fact, she couldn't see much at all as her vision blurred with the teardrops that fell like rain onto her tightly clutched hands.

***

"Quit pacing already, Kenshin. Your bride'll be here any minute." Sanosuke Sagara told his boss with amusement. As best friend and foreman to Kenshin, he had been shocked to learn that the enigmatic rancher had plans to get married today.

"Why didn't you tell me you were getting married?" He demanded again. Kenshin suppressed a sighed. Sanosuke had a way of pestering you about everything. That was why he deliberately hadn't mentioned it to his oldest friend.

"It slipped my mind." He told him, taking a sip of his whiskey. Damn it, where was that stagecoach? It was due two hours ago. If it didn't come soon, the judge would be too drunk to marry them today. Kenshin wanted to make it back to the ranch before dark. There was still work to do tomorrow morning.

The thought of it made him impatient. "We need to give the judge a cup of coffee, not another shot of whiskey. Come one." Sanosuke strode after him. Kenshin clapped a strong hand to the corpulent official's shoulder. The man dropped his cards all over the table.

"Ah, Kenshin. What seems to be the problem?"

"I don't begrudge a man a drink or two but when you get to ten or twelve, it's time to stop. Let's go get some fresh air." Kenshin hauled the judge out of his seat. The fat man shrugged at his companion who had watched with angry eyes as his money began walking away.

"Hey! You can't take him yet. I still want the chance to win back the money I lost to him." The furious card shark cried. He stood up abruptly, knocking over his chair. Kenshin's hand reached down to his gun.

"Not today, you don't." He replied in a deadly quiet voice.

"Don't do it, kid." Sanosuke told the man whose hand was also reaching for his gun. "He'll kill you." The card player took a good look at the coldness in Kenshin amber eyes and the cross-shaped scar and decided to go. Sanosuke smirked as he scurried from the bar.

"Time to walk it off, old timer." He said as he grabbed the judge's other arm. They had barely made it to the hotel when the stagecoach pulled up. The driver jumped down and hurried to open the door. A crowd had gathered as the pair of occupants descended. First, a small boy, no older than seven perhaps, hopped down and waited at the side of the carriage. He grabbed the small, white hand that appeared from the inky depths of the coach. Kenshin strained his eyes to see the person stepping out but the crowd was too thick. The hushed whispers of the crowd indicated that his bride had, indeed, arrived.

Kaoru scanned the mob of people, looking for the friendly face of the man she was to marry. Yahiko hid behind her skirts as they made their way to the nearest building. She would inquire about her missing fiancé there.

"Excuse me?" A large man blocked her path and Kaoru stifled a scream. He was the most uncouth man she had ever met, measuring well over six feet tall with wild brown hair.

"Mr. Himura?" She questioned faintly, praying for it not to be so. The man grinned.

"No such luck. I'm Sanosuke, Kenshin's foreman. He's inside. May I?" Sanosuke offered her his arm with a sketchy bow. Kaoru felt her mouth curve into the first smile she had enjoyed in two months. Gracefully, she accepted his arm.

Kenshin had propped up the judge in the far corner of the hotel's lobby and was waiting for Sanosuke to return with Miss Kamiya. The doors banged open as the tall ranch hand strode in with his cockiest grin. Kenshin was not surprised to see the familiar expression. He was sure he'd sport something similar if he had the same woman on his arm that his friend did. If that was Kaoru Kamiya, then he had just struck gold.

The woman wasn't just pretty; she was breathtaking. Ropes of gleaming ebony hair framed a face that sported no flaw. She was petite with a narrow waist and ripe breasts concealed by a fine lilac gown. But it was her eyes that caught him and drew him in. They were the color of twilight and endlessly deep. She was ethereally beautiful. Redemption had never seen a woman like her and neither had Kenshin.

As Sanosuke approached him, Kenshin straightened up and ran a hand through his hair. He wished he had taken the time to go to the barber as he waited. But no matter, after seeing Sanosuke, his bride would surely be relieved to see him.

"Mr. Himura?" Kaoru asked quietly. As he turned to face her completely, Kaoru stifled a gasp at the cross-shaped scar on his face. Her fingers itched to touch it, to try to bring some comfort to the bearer but good sense stopped her. Despite that they were to be married, she knew very little about Kenshin Himura. He would most likely be offended if she began to touch him so soon.

"Yes." He answered, deliberately turning so she had a better look at his scar. If she was going to run, now was her chance. He was caught completely by surprise by the tears that glistened in her beautiful eyes. Was she upset at the sight? Or did she cry for him? No one had ever shed any tears on his behalf and Kenshin didn't quite know how to react.

"Come on," he instructed gruffly, offering her arm. Sanosuke gave her up reluctantly. "Judge, we're ready." The fat man stirred and squinted at them.

"My god, is she actually going to marry you?" He gasped.

"We're getting married now?" Kaoru echoed in the same tone. Kenshin glared at the judge but tried to give his bride a reassuring look.

"It's a trip back to our home and I want to get this out of the way." He told her gently.

"We aren't staying in town tonight?" She gasped again.

"I have work to do tomorrow that can't wait. If you don't want to do this, Miss Kamiya, I'll buy you a ticket home." But even though he made the offer, Kenshin had no intention of honoring it. She was his now.

"No, I want to get married to you." She said firmly. "I just thought we'd take a couple of days to get to know each other before we got married."

"Are we going to do this?" The judge asked with unconcealed interest. Kenshin nodded curtly to the man. Kaoru stretched her hand out blindly as she took her place by Kenshin's side. Yahiko, understanding what she needed, grabbed it and came to stand at her other side. He stared with open interest at the man marrying his sister. Kenshin caught him staring and gave him a very slow, very deliberate wink. Yahiko's small face broke into a wide grin.

"Dearly beloved," the judge burped and swayed on his feet. At Kenshin's imperceptible nod, Sanosuke went to stand by the man, propping him up with one large hand. "We are gathered here today to join this woman," the judge broke off again and peered at Kaoru. "What is your name again dear?"

"Kaoru Kamiya."

"-Kaoru Kamiya and Kenshin Himura in the bonds of marriage. Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband."

"Yes."

Kenshin silently released the sigh he hadn't realized was pent up inside. This beautiful woman was going to marry him. He was going to have a wife and children. He was going to have a family.

"Well do you want to marry her or what?" the judge demanded. Kenshin realized that his mind had drifted and he nodded.

"I do."

Kenshin heard his bride sigh in the same relief he had felt and realized she was just as nervous about his answer as he had with hers. He grinned down at her.

"I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

The hell he was going to kiss his blushing wife in front of the gawking crowd that had gathered upon hearing about his commencing nuptials. As Kenshin scanned the area for somewhere private to take his new wife, the lady decided to take matters into her own hands.

When Kenshin didn't immediately kiss her, Kaoru knew something had to be done. Whether he didn't want to or was too shy to, her new husband was going to get that kiss. Placing both her hands gently on his shoulders, Kaoru reached up and placed a demure kiss on her husband's lips. That was nice, she thought. He smelled of leather and morning sunshine and tasted faintly of whiskey. He also looked utterly flabbergasted.

Kenshin didn't know what had gotten into Kaoru as she pecked him on the lips. His bride really was an unschooled virgin if she thought that counted as a kiss. He frowned down at her and as she looked up at him, her cheeks pink with embarrassment, he captured her mouth beneath his own.

Kaoru didn't know what to think. One minute she was kissing her husband, the next he was kissing her. The two didn't compare. Hers had been a mere brush of the lips where his was a hungry claim to her mouth, to her whole body. She shivered as his hard mouth slanted across her own. Kenshin took this as a positive sign because he deepened the kiss, exploring the soft depths of her mouth with his tongue. Kaoru was just beginning to enjoy the kiss when he broke away.

"Let's go home," his voice was a husky whisper that brought a blush to her cheeks. All she seemed to be doing lately was blushing but at least now she had a good reason. When they got to her new home, her husband would no doubt want to consummate the marriage.

Sanosuke clapped his friend on the back. "Congratulations. Do you want me to take the brat to the bunkhouse tonight?" He jerked his thumb to Yahiko who looked immediately insulted.

"I'm not a brat!" He cried, climbing all over the tall man and biting his head. Kaoru wasn't sure whether to be amused or horrified. Yahiko's manners certainly left something to be desired but this was the liveliest she had seen him since their parents had died.

"Go ahead." Kenshin told Sanosuke, his grip on Kaoru tightening.

"Come on squirt. We'll have to double up on my horse."

"Hey! Don't call me squirt! When do I get my own horse…" Yahiko's voice trailed off as he followed the tall foreman outside.

"He seems happy," Kaoru said. Kenshin squeezed her hand.

"Sanosuke is good with kids, surprisingly."

"Are you?" She asked tremulously.

"I am. I hope to have a baby by summer," he told her as he led her out the door. A baby by summer. He really wasn't wasting any time.

The ride back to the ranch was excruciating. Neither person talked. Kenshin wished Kaoru would say something and she wished the same. But what she really wanted to ask was if he actually intended to sleep with her tonight.

All her questions flew out of her head as the ranch came into view. "My God," Kaoru uttered. "It's magnificent." All the colors of the rainbow painted the prairie's wild grass. Cattle were grazing peacefully in their own bovine fashion in small groups. Looking over it all was a large house seated on a grassy knoll. A wide porch wrapped around the face of the house. Kaoru could see in her mind's eye the flowers she would plant before the lovely house and how she would care for them and help them grow here, in her new home.

"Like it?" Kenshin asked softly. He pulled up right in front of the house.

Kaoru could only nod. Kenshin helped her out of the wagon, his hands encircling her tidy waist. In a dashing move, he swept her up into his arms and carried her over the threshold. She squealed in delight and clutched his shoulders.

Kenshin was surprised with himself. He wasn't a playful guy. He was dour and forbidding, not playful. But why was it that the look in Kaoru's eyes make him want to become something he wasn't?

When he put her down, Kaoru got her first look at the inside of her home. What she saw almost made her wish she hadn't. It looked as if the house hadn't been cleaned -- ever. It was going to take a lot of work to make this place a home.

Kenshin saw her wince as she took a look around the place and he hurried to try to explain it. "Sano isn't much of a housekeeper, I'm afraid." He apologized as he moved crusty dishes into the sink and wiped excess crud from off the table. Kaoru smiled at him so warmly that he faltered.

"Don't worry about it," she told him. "Yahiko is mean with a rag. We'll have this place spotless for you in no time."

"You don't have to…"

"I want to. This is my home and I want it to be as cozy for you as it is for me." She insisted. Searching for a coat rack, Kenshin watched as she uncovered her glorious hair and hung up her bonnet. Her cape soon followed, also neatly hung. He wished that the rest of her clothes would follow but instead of hung neatly, he wanted them thrown recklessly on his bedroom floor. Kaoru apparently got the drift of his thoughts because she looked away and blushed again. Kenshin thought it amusing that he could make one woman blush so many times in one day without actually doing anything to her.

"You must want to freshen up after that long trip." Kenshin murmured softly. "I'll draw you a hot bath."

"That sounds heavenly." Kaoru agreed. She watched as her new husband disappeared into another room. It gave her time to fully survey the mess before her and catalogue what needed to be done.

The kitchen windows were positively filthy, Kaoru noted as she wandered into that room. But it was odd; the room was dirty yet neat, yellow curtains hung. It was the little things of the room that denoted a female touch. Dead potted plants, faded curtains, and neatly braided rugs suggested that if a woman once cared for this house, she was long gone.

"Kaoru?" Kenshin reappeared. It had given him quite a start to find his new bride missing. For a few moments, he had thought she ran off. Any sane woman would have already.

"Is my bath ready so soon?" When she graced him with that smile, his knees felt unsteady. How on earth did he get so lucky as to wed such an elegant angel?

As her husband escorted her to wherever the bath was set up, Kaoru decided to make some small talk.

"Who put up the curtains in the kitchen?"

Kenshin immediately stopped smiling. "Don't worry about that." He told her. "Enjoy your bath."

His abrupt attitude startled and annoyed her. She was just trying to be sociable. There was no need to be snappy.

Kenshin left the room, gently shutting the door behind him. It had been so long since he had any dealings with a woman. He was almost as mannerless as Sanosuke. He had to apologize to his wife so her tender feelings would be spared. Turning, he opened the door again.

"Shut the door!" Kaoru shrieked. She had been settling into the small tub when the door reopened. Now her husband was staring at her naked back like it was the first one he had ever seen.

"S—sorry." Kenshin stuttered, blinded by his glimpse of creamy white flesh. By God, he wanted her. Tonight she would be his. He'd instructed his lovely woman in carnal delights of the marriage bed.

And so he stood outside the door, patiently waiting for Kaoru to exit. When she did, he was captivated once again by the sight of her damp, exposed flesh. She wore a prudish white nightgown with the top two buttons undone. With her hair wet and her skin rosy from the warm water, Kenshin would have sworn she was a siren sent to tempt him. He would gladly dash himself on the shores of her body if given half a chance.

"Where's my bedroom?" Kaoru asked abruptly. Kenshin jaw dropped. Had she read his mind?

"This way," he stuttered. He ushered her into a large room, dominated by the bed. Kaoru walked slowly around it, tracing the soft quilt with one finger. The windows had an excellent view of the mountains.

"What a lovely room." She murmured. How sweet of him to make up such a nice place for her. "Where's yours?"

"This is my room. From now on, it's our room." Kaoru snatched her hand away from the bed like it was a hot iron. She walked right into that one! Now that he had her in his bedroom, he would undoubtedly ravish her!

Kenshin watched with amusement as recognition hit. He smothered a laugh as she jumped away from the bed. Really, where had she expected to sleep? And just what was she expecting from him?

"I thought we'd sleep in separate rooms until we became better acquainted." She explained as he slowly moved around the bed to come to her side.

"We're married." He reminded her. Her husband had that look in his eyes again, the look that spoke of raw, animal desire. She shivered slightly but ducked under his arm as he went to touch her.

"I thought we'd wait to consummate this marriage until later." Kaoru told him. Kenshin was going to laugh it off until he saw the fear in her eyes. Well damn, he would never force a woman to do anything she didn't want to. He'd give her time.

"How long?"

"Six months?" No way. He wasn't waiting that long.

"Two weeks." Two weeks? Kaoru stomped forward in her anger.

"Two months."

"One month." Kenshin allowed. "But no longer."

"Alright. No longer." She promised. The look Kenshin gave sent goose bumps straight up her spine. It was lanced with unrequited desire.

"But you will sleep here with me. You need to get used to my body against yours." Kenshin warned her. He sat on the bed and began pulling his boots off. Kaoru observed him nervously.

"What are you doing?" If her voice was a bit high, well, who was to blame her? The man had just promised her a month yet here he was getting underdressed.

"I'm tired. It was a long day. I'm going to bed. You should too." Kenshin suggested, divesting himself of the remainder of his clothes. He climbed into bed and closed his eyes. He didn't need to see to know tha this pretty young wife was staring at him, the first naked man she had probably ever seen.

"I-okay." He could hear her fumbling with her clothes but out of respect kept his eyes closed. It was going to be a long month.

The mattress shifted as Kaoru climbed into bed. Kenshin peeked open one eye to see his proper little wife with the blankets tucked up to her chin. He smiled.

"Good-night Kaoru."

TBC…